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Showing posts from November, 2023

What is Holiday Heart Syndrome? It's Not a Hallmark Movie.

What is Holiday Heart Syndrome? It's Not a Hallmark Movie. I think Holiday Heart IS the title of a Hallmark movie, but I'm referring to something more serious - the spike in emergencies around the holidays. In medicine, holiday heart syndrome refers to an increase in abnormal heart rhythms around the holidays.  Let's explore some factors that can lead to holiday heart syndrome, or other emergencies that uptick during the holiday season. What Causes Holiday Heart Syndrome?  Dietary Changes  Think about your holiday menu. Do you often make the same foods that you've had growing up?  They might not be the best options. Foods such as ham and canned goods can be high in sodium.  Ingesting too much salt can lead to fluid retention and elevated blood pressure. Consider serving an alternative, or providing a variety of options for yourself and guests. Too Much Alcohol People tend to drink more alcohol during the holiday season compared to other times of the year ( ...
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How to Feed a Picky Eater with Few Safe Foods

 How to Feed a Picky Eater with Few Safe Foods We often have many strongly held beliefs surrounding food and eating if we're honest with ourselves, and not all of these ideas are healthy.  Preconceived notions about food and eating can be amplified during the holiday season, which is already an emotionally charged time of year. Even more-so if you count a picky eater with few safe foods among your ranks. Feeding a picky eater with few safe foods is not as tricky as you think. Let's look at ways to approach this. **Disclaimer: the suggestions in this article assume that there are no underlying causes of picky eating. Consult a healthcare provider to rule out conditions that could lead to feeding difficulties or preferences. Offer a Variety of Foods Your job is to offer a variety of foods. Your child's job is to decide what and how much to eat. Always offer at least one safe food that you know your child will eat.  Continue to offer "sometimes, rarely or never" food...
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Kids Countdown: 4 Easy Visual Countdown Methods for Kids.

Kids Countdown: 4 Easy Visual Countdown Methods for Kids.  Time. It's an abstract concept that can be hard for kids to understand. Helping kids understand time with visual countdown methods can help ease transitions during your daily routine, and demystify when major events will take place.  Perhaps your child is looking forward to going back to school, celebrating a birthday or holiday, or going on vacation. Maybe he's excited for something more immediate, like going to the park or on a play date.  Whether something is taking place sooner or later, a visual countdown method can help! Let's look at 4 easy visual countdown methods for kids. **This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! 4 Easy Visual Countdown Methods for Kids.  Visual Timer   Best suited for more immediate happenings, a  visual timer  can take some of the mystery out of the concept of time for y...
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Suffering from dry skin?! 5 things to stop doing to relieve dry skin.

Suffering from dry skin?! 5 things to stop doing to relieve dry skin.  Let's talk dry skin. Your skin is your largest organ, your body's interface with and protection from the environment. Keep it moisturized and intact! I trained in a dermatology office as a physician assistant student. Dry skin was a common complaint. Many clients were shocked at the advice they were given: "I paid a specialist copay for this?!" was a common sentiment. Relieve dry skin by stopping these 5 things, and you may save yourself a trip to the doctor's office! 1. Bathing Frequently  Water exposure can be drying and irritating. Reevaluate how many times you are bathing, and for how long. Consider decreasing the overall amount of time you are immersed in water.   2. Bathing in hot water Hot water is especially drying. In addition to the amount of time you spend in water, consider lowering the temperature of the water. Check out this  article  that says ideal water temperature is be...
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Why Can't I Sleep? 10 Steps for Good Sleep Hygiene

Why Can't I Sleep? 10 Steps for Good Sleep Hygiene Sleep is essential to function properly. Good sleep hygiene supports the ability to regulate emotions and hunger, manage stress, concentrate and complete tasks, learn, process and retain new information.  NOT getting enough sleep increases the risk of certain medical conditions  (nih.gov) . I’m sure you’ve heard or said the phrase, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Or you’ve gotten the impression that the lack of sleep that accompanies parenthood is considered a badge of honor.  But there’s nothing admirable about sleep deprivation; in fact, it is  a torture method. Thankfully, our culture seems to be shifting its attitude towards rest. There’s no shame in resting; in fact, sleep should be a priority!   If you sleep well, then I don't care what you do (as long as it's safe)! But if sleep is a struggle, then you may benefit from implementing a good sleep hygiene routine.  Lifestyle changes should almost alway...
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Don't diet: follow this healthy eating plan instead

Don't diet: follow this healthy eating plan instead. Let's talk healthy eating. I don't diet nor do I typically recommend any specific diets. This is true in my personal life as well as my professional career as a physician assistant. Diets often backfire and fail; they can be too restrictive in terms of limiting calories, certain foods or entire food groups. Diets can lead to disordered eating and malnutrition. Instead, I follow and recommend guidelines to promote a healthy eating plan. I compiled a list of the most common recommendations in over a decade of working in mostly primary care fields.  According to this  Forbes article , over 40% of Americans are obese. Obesity is a risk factor for many medical conditions, so losing weight  is a worthy pursuit. Developing healthy eating habits should be part of a holistic plan for longevity and wellness regardless of your current or goal weight. Practical guidelines can help you create lasting lifestyle changes. Let's dig i...
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